Draw curtain apparatus

ABSTRACT

A window-covering apparatus which may include a stationary canopy fixed near the top of a window opening, and a movable shade or blind which is both adjustable in length and adjustable in height. Both of these adjustments are performed by the same control cords so that the window covering may be opened from the top or lifted from the bottom of the window while its length may be independently adjusted to completely cover, or partially cover the window opening.

United States Patent 1 1 'llnvcnwr Game" Abraham 1,498,594 6/1924 Watson 160/84 R x 215 Manor Road, Staten Island. NY. 2343.044 8/|958 Ehrmeyerm 160/167 3.093.186 6 1963 Castanedo 160/167 1311 gr p; 1 :3 m0 3.322.182 5/1967 P2116113 160/344 1 e FOREIGN PATENTS 45 P1 ted ulv 20.1971 I d Ln J 704 692 0/0000 Great Britain 1. 160/167 Primary Examiner- Kenneth Downey I54] W CURTAIN {\PPARATUS Assistant Examiner Philip C. Kannan Chums 22 Drawmg Attorney-Allison C. Collard [52] U.S.Cl 160/84, 160/339, 160/344 Int. A window-covering apparatus may in. of Search elude a tationary canopy fixed near op of a window 3 5 3 1 2571253 opening, and a movable shade or blind which is both adjustable in length and adjustable in height Both of these adjust- [56] Rderences Cmd ments are performed by the same control cords so that the UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 window covering may be opened from the top or lifted from 12,695 4/1855 Rose 160/167 the bottom of the window while its length may be indepen- 397,648 2/1889 Jenkins 160/327 X dently adjusted to completely cover, or partially cover the 1,321,800 11/1919 Andress etal. 160/8411 windowopening.

i V a 9 1 l I /00 lul IHHIHHIHH 1 5/7 PATENTED JULZ 0 Ian INVENIOR. GARNETT ABRAHAM mow PATENIEB JULZO I97! SHEET 8 UP 5 PATENTEDJULZOIQTI 3' 5%. 7 72 SHEET 3 BF 5 INVEVI'OR.

GARNET T ABRAHAM ATTORNEY PATENTEU JULZU IBTI SHEET 6 DF 5 ATTORNEY DRAW CURTAIN APPARATUS V This invention relates to an improved draw shade or blind apparatus which permits adjustment of both the level of the shade or blind and its length.

In conventional draw shades and blinds the fabric body or ladder is generally secured at the top'of a window opening so that the control cords of the shade or blind which are connected to the bottom edge thereof permit only the bottom edge to be raised or lowered over the window to any desired height. These conventional shades or blinds, however, suffer from the disadvantage that when opened from the bottom, they expose the privacy of the occupants of the room. .It is therefore desirable to provide a shade or blind which may also be opened from the top of a window while covering the bottom half of the window to maintain the privacy of the occupants of the room.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a shade -.or blind apparatus wherein the shade or blind may be lowered from both the top and the bottom ofa window by utilizing the same control cords. The shade or blind is not secured to the top of the window frame but fastened to a movable cross member which may be raised or lowered away from the topof the window. The bottom edge of the shade or blind bodyalso contains a second crossmember so that its level may also be adjusted independently from the first crossmember. This provides the shade or blind of the invention with two modes of adjustment so that the portion of shade or blind deployed over the window as well as its level may be adjusted independently.

It is therefore an object according to the present invention to provide a shade or blind apparatus which is adjustable from both its top and bottom portions using the sameeontrol cords.

It is still a further object according to the present invention to provide a shade or blind apparatus which is simple in design, easy to manufacture, and reliable in operation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the window covering according to the invention, fully drawn to the top of a window frame;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the window-coveringapparatus partially extended across the bottom half of a window opening;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along section 4 1 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the window-covering apparatus shown fully extended across the bottom half of a window opening;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along section 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the window-covering apparatus drawn across the entire window opening;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along section 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the window-covering apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 10 l0 ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along 12-12 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is another type of cord-holding device from that shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the window-covering apparatus of the invention illustrating one position of the shade body;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the window-covering apparatus illustrating the shade body in a second position;

FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating the window-covering apparatus in a third position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view ofa second embodiment of the window-covering apparatus according to the present invention; and,

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIGS. ]922 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention using conventional venetian blind slats and support ladders instead ofa shade body.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the windowcovering apparatus according to the invention in its fully com pressed state, consisting of, in one embodiment, a pleated, Austrian-type covering 14 having vertical hems, and serving as a fixed canopy in front of the movable portion of shade 15. Fixed canopy I4 is secured to a horizontal support frame 30 bolted at the top of a window opening defined by frame 11. Movable portion 15 of the body of the shade is designed to descend across windows 12 and 13 as controlled by cord 100.

FIGS. 3--8 illustrate various other positions of the shade or curtain of FIGS. 1 and 2 with respect "to windows 12 and 13. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the shade partially extended across window 12. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the shade fully extended across window 12 and below window sill 16. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the shade drawn across both windows 12 and 13. A more detailed explanation of the window covering apparatus follows with respect to FIGS. 9-12.

Referring to FIGS. 912, there is shown another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention consisting of a main horizontal support 30 which is retained against a wall structure by means of supporting bracket 31 bolted on each end of support 30. Screws 22 are used to mount bracket 31 to the wall structure. In one embodiment, adjacent to each end of horizontal support 30 is located a threaded stud 33 disposed vertically through support 30, and retained in the support by means of wingnut 32 and threaded flange 34. Stud 33 is adjusted so that its foot 35 will serve as a stop in preventing a first crossmember 19 from being elevated above the level of foot 35. Between'the second or bottom crossmember 16 and the upper or first crossmember 19 is, in one embodiment, supported a curtain body 115. Control cords are collected at .one end of the curtain apparatus and passed through element 'one or more additional control cords may be used, such as control cord 105. Control cord is secured to bottom crossmember 16 at knot 70, and passes through eyelets 75, around pulleys 76 and 71, and through an additional outer 'pulley (not shown) adjacent to either pulleys 40 or 43, and

then descends through element 65 and around an additional outer pulley (not shown) in handle 17. Cord 105 would then terminate in element 65 and be secured adjacent to knots 101a or 1040, or be held'by screw 166 or element 165. Control cords 10l-l04 are collected through a multipulley wheel 40, 41, 42 and-43 which is pivoted around axis 44 and mounted within housing 36. Center pulley segments 41 and 42 consist of two drums for receiving control cords 101 and 104 while end pulleysegments 40 and 43 receive control cords I02 and 103, respectively. Control cords 102 and 103 will operate independently in raising and lowering bottom crossmember 16 when cords 101 and 104 become stationary. Openings are provided in housing 36 at the front and bottom in order to guide cords 100. Also pivotablly retained in housing 36 on axis 38 is alatch 37 which includes a saw tooth engaging edge 39 for engagement with cords 10Il04. At the other end of horizontal support 30, pivoted on axis 52 are dual pulleys 50 and 51 for collecting cords 101 and 102, respectively. In'one embodiment, cords 101 and 102 cross over during their travel across support 30 as shown in detail in FIG. 10. As an alternative to utilizing foot 35 of stud 33 in order to limit the height of travel of support 19, cords 104 and 101 may include a knotted portion 104a, as shown in detail in FIG. 11, and 101a (now shown) which are larger in diameter than the openings at the bottom of housing 36 which permit cords 103 and 104 to travel to pulley 43 and 41, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a detailed cross-sec tional view of the control cords 100 including sliding elements 65 through which cords 101-104 pass therethrough. The bot.- tom portion of element 65 includes an opening 66 wherein cords 101 and 104 include knotted portions 101a and 1040 tightly secured within opening 66. Handle 17 includes dual pulley 60 and 61 which are pivotably mounted on axis 62 secured at the open end of handle 17. Cords 101 and 103 are actually the same cords which converge on pulley 61, while cords 102 and 104 are the same cord verging on pulley 60.

FIG. 13 discloses another possible embodiment for element 65 shown as element 165 in which a screw 166 threadably engages through element 165 so that its end will secure cords 101 and 104 within the element. Screw 166 is designed to replace knotted portions 101a and 104a of the design of FIG. l2v

The operation of the apparatus is described with respect to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16. In FIG. 14, shade body 115 is shown lowered away from support 30 by first disengaging latch 37 and lifting up on handle 17. In FIG. 15, shade body 115 is shown covering the entire window opening by pulling downward on handle 17 so that upper crossmember 19 contacts foot stops 35 on shaft 33. The user can then lock the cord by engaging cord latch 37. In FIG. 16, while the user continues to pull handle 17, lower crossmember 16 will continue to rise lifting the remaining portion of shade body on 115 to its uppermost position. Latch 37 can then he used to lock cords 100 in place.

In its position as shown in FIG. 16, the user can grip element 65 in place and raise handle 17 and allow the weight of the shade (or blinds) to draw cords 102 and 103 through dual handle pulleys 60 and 61, through the holes of element 65, around outer pulley segments 40 and 43 to lower the bottom rail of crossmember 16 in order to close the window opening. Top crossmember 19 remains in place while the user holds element 65.

When the shade body is lowered as in FIG. M, the user may grip handle 17 and arrest cords 100 in the handle pulley, and by pulling downward on the combination, both crossmembers will move upward simultaneously to cover over the window.

Referring to FIG. 17 and 18, there is shown another embodiment of the shade apparatus according to the invention utilizing shade body 215 which is raised and lowered by means of control cords 102 and 103 which are wrapped around the bottom rolled end of the shade body and secured to first crossmetnber 19 at tie point 20. The top portion of shade body 215 is secured to first crossmember 19 which is raised and lowered by m.- ns of cords 101 and 104 connected to eyelets 80, as described with respect to the previous embodiment. The lower crossmember 16 in this embodiment consists of the center of the rolled fabric 215 so that the movement of handle 17 and element 65 will raise and lower the level of upper support 19 as well as the length of shade body 215.

Referring to FIGS. 19-22, there is shown a further embodiment of the invention capable of utilizing venetian blinds in place of a shade body between the first and second crossmember. In FIGS. 1922, there is shown one of the control cords 101 terminating at its end in eyelets 125 for supporting a horizontally extending rigid wire hanger 126 at wire indenta tion 129. Each end of hanger wire 126 includes a loop 129 which engages edges 127 on the ends of crossmember 119. Loop 129 will receive eyelet 125 when first crossmember 119 is completely tilted so as to close slats 131 as shown in FIG. 21. First crossmember 119 has rolled edges 127 which hold support ladder 130 at a point where it is substantially in line with the center of gravity of cord 101 so as to assume maximum stress in order to completely close slats 131 as shown in FIG. 21. As shown in detail in FIG. 20, a long slot 132 is formed in crossmember 119 so that sluts 131 may be tilted or closed by moving eyelet along wire 126 in order to engage indentations 128 or loops 129 without obstructing the move' ment of control cords 102, as shown in FIG. 21. In this manner, the position of slats 131 may be easily tilted or opened by hand to any desired position without the use of additional control cords or cables.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A window-covering apparatus comprising;

a substantially horizontal support member,

a first crossmember disposed below the said support member,

a second crossmember disposed below said first crossmember,

a multiline control cord disposed from said support member having at least, a first set of lines coupled to said first crossmember, and a second set of lines secured to said second crossmember, said lines being collected at one end of said support member,

means for limiting the elevation of said first crossmember with respect to said support member,

a handle having a pulley disposed in one end thereof for receiving said second set oflines therearound, a cord sliding element surrounding said control cords and disposed between said handle and said support member, and means for securing said first set of lines to said sliding element, so that said first crossmember can be adjusted with respect to said second crossmember.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a shade body, having a plurality of vertical hems, said shade body having its top edge coupled to said first crossmember, its bottom edge coupled to said second crossmember, and said second set oflines passing through said vertical hems.

3. The window covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting comprises at least one stop member secured to said support member for contact with said first crossmember.

4. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting comprises knots tied in said first set of lines, said knots inhibiting the collection of said first set of lines in said support member to prevent said first crossmember from being elevated above a predetermined level.

5. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for' securing comprises knots tied in said first set of lines for inhibiting movement of said first set oflines through said sliding element.

6. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for securing comprises a screw threadably engaged through said cord sliding element for securing said first set of lines while permitting said second set of lines to pass freely therethrough.

7. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a roll curtain body having its top edge coupled to said first crossmember and its bottom portion rolled around said second crossmember and wherein said second set of lines is disposed around said bottom rolled portion and secured to said first crossmember.

8. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of venetian blinds disposed in a support ladder below said first cross member,

rod means, secured to said first crossmember and having a plurality of spaced-apart indentations, said rod means being slidably coupled to said first set of lines to permit said blinds to be manually tilted and opened by moving said first set of lines into one of said indentations.

9. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a latch pivotably coupled in said support member for releasably securing said control cords.

Ill. The window-covering as recited in claim 10 wherein 7 said second set of lines includes at least one additional line coupled across said first crossmember and secured to the central portion of said second crossmember and slidably engaging said shade eyelets. 

1. A window-covering apparatus comprising; a substantially horizontal support member, a first crossmember disposed below the said support member, a second crossmember disposed below said first crossmember, a multiline control cord disposed from said support member having at least, a first set of lines coupled to said first crossmember, and a second set of lines secured to said second crossmember, said lines being collected at one end of said support member, means for limiting the elevation of said first crossmember with respect to said support member, a handle having a pulley disposed in one end thereof for receiving said second set of lines therearound, a cord sliding element surrounding said control cords and disposed between said handle and said support member, and means for securing said first set of lines to said sliding element, so that said first crossmember can be adjusted with respect to said second crossmember.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a shade body, having a plurality of vertical hems, said shade body having its top edge coupled to said first crossmember, its bottom edge coupled to said second crossmember, and said second set of lines passing through said vertical hems.
 3. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting comprises at least one stop member secured to said support member for contact with said first crossmember.
 4. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting comprises knots tied in said first set of lines, said knots inhibiting the collection of said first set of lines in said support member to prevent said first crossmember from being elevated above a predetermined level.
 5. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for securing comprises knots tied in said fiRst set of lines for inhibiting movement of said first set of lines through said sliding element.
 6. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for securing comprises a screw threadably engaged through said cord sliding element for securing said first set of lines while permitting said second set of lines to pass freely therethrough.
 7. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a roll curtain body having its top edge coupled to said first crossmember and its bottom portion rolled around said second crossmember and wherein said second set of lines is disposed around said bottom rolled portion and secured to said first crossmember.
 8. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of venetian blinds disposed in a support ladder below said first cross member, rod means, secured to said first crossmember and having a plurality of spaced-apart indentations, said rod means being slidably coupled to said first set of lines to permit said blinds to be manually tilted and opened by moving said first set of lines into one of said indentations.
 9. The window-covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a latch pivotably coupled in said support member for releasably securing said control cords.
 10. The window-covering as recited in claim 1 additionally comprising a shade having its top portion coupled to said first crossmember, and its bottom portion coupled to said second crossmember, said shade including a plurality of vertically spaced-apart eyelets for guiding said second set of lines so that said shade uniformly gathers and folds when elevated.
 11. The window-covering as recited in claim 10 wherein said second set of lines includes at least one additional line coupled across said first crossmember and secured to the central portion of said second crossmember and slidably engaging said shade eyelets. 